For the first time since the department began in 1837, the Campbellsville Police Department is being led by a woman.

For the first time since the department began in 1837, the Campbellsville Police Department is being led by a woman.

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 5:59 PM EDT Mar 31, 2015

Hide TranscriptShow Transcript

WEBVTT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1837, THE CAMPBELLSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS A FEMALE POLICE CHIEF. IN A WLKY EXCLUSIVE, W-L- K-Y'S ANNA-LYSA GAYLE SPOKE TO HER ABOUT HER PLANS FOR THE DEPARTMENT, BEFORE SHE WAS SWORN IN TODAY AT THE CIVIC CENTER IN CAMPBELLSVILLE. Looklive Intro: Anna-Lysa Gayle, Campbellsville Clip #0586 11:01:47 "On the last day of Women's History Month. It's the first day in a new direction for the Campbellsville Police Department.11:01:55 FOR FIFTEEN YEARS, PAT THOMPSON HAS BEEN WITH THE CAMPBELLSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT---WORKING AS A DETECTIVE, AN ADMINISTRATIVE LIEUTENANT, A DEPUTY CHIEF AND NOW THE CITY'S FIRST EVER WOMAN POLICE CHIEF. Pat Thompson, Campbellsville Police Chief Clip 0561 10:35;06 "My grandson who is 4 said to me, are you really the Chief of Police, and I said yes and he said, I'm not sure and I said well...let me show you my badge.10:35:16 THOMPSON WHO WAS BORN IN EASTERN KENTUCKY WAS RAISED IN A MILITARY FAMILY. SHE HAS LIVED IN PLACES LIKE JAPAN, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA AND ALABAMA--- AT 32.SHE LEFT HER JOB AS A WAITRESS TO PURSUE HER DREAMS OF BECOMING A POLICE OFFER. AT THE BEGINNING OF HER JOURNEY, SHE DID EXPERIENCE NAYSAYERS.WHO QUESTIONED HER ABILITIES BECAUSE OF HER SEX..BUT SHE DIDN'T LET THAT STOP HER. " 10:29:03 but that is less and less." 10:29:07 "I don't have no problems with a female being a police chief. I think the person best qualified ought to be in that slot. If that's a female that's fine with me, if it's a male that's fine with me. 11:13:10 THOMPSON KNEW SHE WANTED TO BE A POLICE OFFICER SINCE HER JUNIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL WHEN SHE WON AN ESSAY CONTEST. THE PRIZE WAS THE CHANCE TO SPEND A WEEK IN A POLICE STATION. "It was just fascinating to me, when they took me into their old evidence vaults and showed me cases.10:26:04 DURING HER TERM, THOMPSON WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE WOMEN JOIN HER IN FIGHTING CRIME. "For whatever reason, we have seen a decline in applicants for female and I don't understand that, but I'm sure that is going to one of our main goals is to actively try to recruit females. 10:33:13 THOMPSON WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE A NEW POLICE STATION. "I'm excited for the opportunity to serve in this capacity."10:23:48 IN CAMPBELLSVILLE, I'M ANNA-LYSA GAYLE W-L-K-Y NEWS. PAT THOMPSON REPLACES TIM HAZLETTE. HE HAS SERVED AS THE POLICE CHIEF SINCE DECEMEBER 2011.

First woman becomes Campbellsville police chief

For the first time since the department began in 1837, the Campbellsville Police Department is being led by a woman.